Capacity Strengthening of Consortium Networks

Evidence Generation for Advocacy

Promoting Knowledge Exchange and Learning

Strengthening Key Population Networking and Partnerships

KP-REACH is strengthening partnership and networking among three already established key population networks (AMSHeR, ASWA and CAL) and one new network, SATF, for meaningful engagement in advocacy to include key population issues in national HIV strategic plans. The programme seeks to enhance wider alliance building for joint advocacy and messaging by strengthening engagement and linkage among the key population networks and between the networks and other relevant stakeholder groups in the region, including the network of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs), National AIDS Councils, Southern African Development Community (SADC), United Nations agencies, etc. This is expectedto provide a strong foundation for greater advocacy for the inclusion of key population issues in HIV programmes.

Capacity Strengthening of Consortium Networks

KP REACH is strengthening the institutional capacity of the four consortium networks to enable them to make stronger representation for advocacy, mobilize and manage resources, and manage interventions with sustainable impact. Efforts focus on strengthening institutional and networking functions by strengthening their administrative, financial, governance, operational and internal monitoring and control capacity, and assisting them to develop strategic action plans for advocacy, representation and resource mobilisation. This is expected to have direct and positive impact and increase support to meet the health needs of key populations in the region.

Evidence Generation for Advocacy

Lack of evidence has been a major drawback in advocating for the rights of key populations in Southern Africa. KP-REACH is supporting research by key populations to gather data and other forms of evidence on human rights violations and gender-based violence against them, and how these affect HIV service provision. The results are then used to inform the development of messages, media articles, position papers and other actions to change attitude and advocate for the rights of key populations at the country and regional levels.

This is providing evidence to counter negative perceptions and false reports, helping to identify areas for advocacy and targeted interventions with healthcare workers and policymakers, and providing clear ideas on how to address the sexual reproductive health and rights and HIV needs of gender diverse people. It is also strengthening the capacity of networks to collect data and develop customized program monitoring and evaluation tools.

Using collective evidence from key populations, KP-REACH is supporting the development andimplementation of a unified behaviour change communication and social marketing strategy toreduce stigma and discrimination and enhance access to HIV prevention, testing and treatmentservices. Sensitization activities are being conducted among community champions and leaders of the health, justice, political, traditional, and religious sectors to influence a reduction indiscriminatory practices. Several community champions have been raised who along with trainedkey correspondents, journalists and editors are contributing to advocacy efforts and helping toreduce misinformation in all the eight programme countries.

Promoting Knowledge Exchange and Learning

KP-REACH is facilitating analysis, documentation and sharing of good practices and approaches in addressing barriers to HIV prevention, testing and treatment for key populations in different settings and sectors and using the knowledge gained to develop creative solutions in Southern Africa. The programme is bringing the different networks together to discuss their common challenges and craft innovative ways to present their issues with a common voice. Through these exchanges the programme is supporting improved dialogues, learning and collaboration, and establishing a stronger basis for greater advocacy actions. The results of these learnings are being used as basis for interactions with regional institutions, national level CCMs, departments of health, and to contribute to the formulation of policy and national strategic plans.